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Jan 08, 2024

Best DeWalt LED Work Lights for 2023

DeWalt LED work lights address several different applications and priorities needed by professionals on the jobsite. From high-powered LED work lights designed to replace halogens to portable handheld

DeWalt LED work lights address several different applications and priorities needed by professionals on the jobsite. From high-powered LED work lights designed to replace halogens to portable handheld lights that you can hang from a rafter or nail—DeWalt has options. The big draw with LED light sources has to do with how they produce less heat than halogen lamps. Seeing that I’m already staring at 90+ degrees here in Central Florida, I can appreciate that, as even the nights here are warm and muggy. They also use far less power—making them perfect for cutting the cord and switching to a battery-powered solution.

The DeWalt DCL050 Handheld LED Area Light offers up to 500 lumens (250 in Low). Using a 20V Max 4.0 amp hour battery, expect to get around 17 hours of run time in Low. These DeWalt LED area work lights are designed to work with any DeWalt 20V battery pack. We like the 140-degree pivoting head and rotating hang hook.

If you want a more powerful area or task light, the DeWalt DCL079 20V Tripod Light delivers. The DeWalt Tripod Light has plenty of output and a proven design for easy transport and height adjustment. While it lacks an AC outlet like its competition, we still give it a solid recommendation for Pros on the DeWalt 20V Max or FlexVolt battery platform.

As a bare tool, the DeWalt 20V Max Tripod Light runs $199. The kit with a 6.0 Ah battery will set you back $329. Milwaukee is easily the most direct competition here. Their dual power 2131 is $199 bare (no kit option) and their charging 2135 is $399 bare or $549 as a kit with a 9.0 Ah battery.

If you need a very portable and compact task light, the DeWalt DCL077 provides a solution. With a 20V Max battery, you can output up to 2000 lumens. Compatible with the entire fleet of 12v/20V/60V batteries, this light makes an ideal option for anyone on the DeWalt cordless tool platform. DeWalt went with a 4,000K LED system. This light temperature delivers a “natural daylight” hue and helps with paint, drywall, and wiring applications.

The IP54-rated DeWalt DCL077 Task Light retails for $129 as a bare tool. It comes with a 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service agreement, and 90-day money-back guarantee.

The DeWalt cordless underhood light knocks it out of the park for mechanics and automotive enthusiasts. Between its high output level, folding design, and ability to use most DeWalt lithium-ion batteries, it outperforms its competition with a more versatile design.

The light boasts some pretty big output for an underhood light, claiming 1,700 lumens on high and 800 on low. That’s about 500 more than the Craftsman 20V underhood light and it beats the Milwaukee M12 underhood light as well. The mode button allows you to toggle between the two light bars separately or use them together for the highest output.

The DeWalt DCL043 LED Spotlight features a 1,000-lumen output with a throw up to 1,525 feet. The light source is 4 LEDs. On the 1,000-lumen setting, 3 white LEDs illuminate the work area. There is also a 90-lumen setting that allows a single red LED to take over. For the uninitiated, the benefit of red light is that it preserves your night vision.

The light boasts some pretty big output for an underhood light, claiming 1,700 lumens on high and 800 on low. That’s about 500 more than the Craftsman 20V underhood light and it beats the Milwaukee M12 underhood light as well. The mode button allows you to toggle between the two light bars separately or use them together for the highest output.

Last but not least, we come to the tiniest but possibly most versatile DeWalt LED light in our Best list. The DeWalt 20V handheld LED Light aims to provide task lighting anywhere you need it. It provides up to 160 lumens, illuminating dark workspaces with a 360° pivoting head. When paired with a 20V 2.0Ah battery, the DeWalt DCL044 handheld light provides up to 11 hours of runtime.

The compact size lets it take up just a bit more room than the battery. That makes it easily fit inside your toolbox or glove compartment. At $59, you can’t go wrong.

DeWalt makes a bunch of handy lights—though not as many as Milwaukee and some others. Still, the longevity of some of these models makes it clear they do their job. When a handheld light dates back to 2014 and still sells online, you know it has some staying power. Of this list, we really like the DeWalt underhood light, tripod stand light, and the battery-sized DCL044. With those three you can light up just abut anything anywhere.